JP2014524356A - Replaceable wear elements for rolling mill laying heads - Google Patents

Abstract

  A selectively replaceable wear element for a rolling mill laying head is provided. The replaceable wear element (110) forms the guide surface of the end ring (90) and is placed inside the inner diameter of the end ring without removing the guide ring from the laying head. A plurality of wear elements (112, 114) may be installed for one or more portions of the inner diameter of the end ring guide surface. The size, configuration, and material properties of the end ring guide surface wear elements (112, 114) may vary from site to site inside the ring guide inner diameter. Another replaceable wear element is a tripper paddle that forms the guide surface of the layhead tripper mechanism. The wear elements of the tripper paddle and guide surface can be replaced from the outside of the end ring without removing the end ring or tripper mechanism from the laying head.

Description

  background

1. Field

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to rolling mill laying heads, and more particularly to replaceable wear elements for guide ring shrouds in the laying head.

2. Description of prior art

  A rolling mill laying head forms a moving elongated rolling material as a series of helical continuous loop rings. These rings may be coiled in a desired number of spiral turns by bundling as a further downstream process. Known laying heads are outlined in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,312,065, 6,769,641, and 7,011,264, the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Incorporated for reference in.

  As described in these patents, rolling mill laying heads include a rotating quill that delivers elongated material to a radially outwardly spread site. At its input end, the material is received as an elongated hollow structure such as a hollow annular laying pipe. This elongate hollow structure such as a laying pipe has a curved middle portion surrounded by a spread area of the quill and an end portion protruding in a substantially tangential direction radially outward from the rotation axis of the quill. Due to the combination of the rotating quill and the elongated hollow structure of the laying pipe, the rolled material has a spiral curved shape. An elongated hollow structure, such as a laying pipe, may be replaced with one of a different profile and / or diameter so that the laying head can be reconfigured to accept different sized elongated rolling material.

  The rolled material is further spiral profiling in a rotating helical guide with a trough that receives the material on the outer periphery. The helical guide described in US Pat. No. 6,769,641 is a segmented fan-shaped modular rim configuration with a circumferential trough formed in the rim fan. If you want to reconfigure the layhead to accept different sized strips of rolled material, all the rims can be separated by another set with different trough profiles and / or helical pitches required to coil the new material. Replace the sector. When a specific trough segment is worn during use, the entire structural member of the rim sector is replaced with a new one.

  A generally annular ring or shroud, also commonly referred to as an end ring or guide ring, has a guide surface that surrounds the delivery end of the laying pipe and the helical guide. For this reason, the elongated material is subjected to processing such as bundling after being sent to the conveyor belt in a completely coiled configuration, and thus is restricted in the axial direction and the radial direction at the time of delivery. A swivel tripper mechanism including one or more tripper paddles may be positioned at approximately the 6 o'clock or bottom position of the end ring / shroud that is distal to the quill. Changing the swivel elevation angle of the tripper mechanism with respect to the inner diameter surface of the ring / shroud can compensate for variations in the plastic thickness, composition, rolling speed, cross-sectional structure, etc. of the elongated material, which is effective in controlling coiling of the elongated material. is there. The upper surface of the tripper paddle is a control surface that frictionally contacts the rolled material as the elongated rolled material passes through the layhead and travels toward the delivery conveyor structure. Such frictional contact causes wear or wear of the paddle. Conventionally, the tripper mechanism needs to be separated from the laying head in order to remove and replace the end ring.

  The end ring or shroud needs to be replaced periodically. The inner diameter guide surface is also a wear surface that is in frictional contact with the rolled material as the elongated rolled material passes through the layhead and travels toward the delivery conveyor structure. Such frictional contact causes wear or wear of the inner guide surface of the ring. The end ring wear pattern is often not uniform. Under various conditions, wear has been found to be more prominent than other circumferential portions of the ring near the 6 o'clock position on the ring and tripper mechanism. From the viewpoint of wear resistance, it is desirable to form the wear surface of the ring with relatively hard steel. It is more desirable to further perform surface hardening and heat treatment. However, such wear-resistant processing steps need to be balanced with the ease and cost of ring manufacture.

  The ring / shroud structure is often manufactured from a steel sheet rolled into a generally annular planar shape having a straight cylindrical or frustoconical circumferential wall extending outward in the axial direction. Additional annular flanges, rings, and gussets are added to the annular ring. The design trade-off involves a compromise between the wear resistance properties of the ring material and the ease / cost of manufacturing. Generally, when the hardness of steel becomes high, it becomes difficult to process in an annular shape by rolling. In addition, when a hardening process such as a heat treatment is performed after the processing, the processed end ring may be deformed. Alternatively, even if it is desirable to form a portion of the end ring from a casting, its surface hardening is more difficult than an equivalent processed component.

  In the past, the only way to repair the worn surface of a worn guide end ring / shroud was to remove the entire end ring and replace it with a new one. Other parts of the end ring, excluding the worn surface, remain available both functionally and structurally. The end ring is a large structure, and depending on the interaction with the other components of the laying head, the replacement of the guide ring can be very expensive, and the laying head must be stopped for a long time during the replacement work. is there.

  Summary of the Invention

  Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include a selectively replaceable guide ring wear element for the end ring located inside the end ring inner diameter of the laying head. The wear element forms a guide surface of elongated material that is constrained within the ring when installed on the guide ring. If it is considered necessary to replace the wear element body, remove the old one from the inner diameter of the end ring and replace it with a new one. With respect to one or more portions of the inner diameter of the end ring, a plurality of wear elements may be placed, which form a guide surface. Also, the size, configuration, and material properties of these wear element bodies may vary from part to part within the guide surface of the ring guide inside the end ring inner diameter. For example, a wear element intended to be installed at 6 o'clock inside the ring guide inner diameter has a harder material property or greater thickness, and / or a wear element for other parts of the ring guide, and / or Or you may have the structure which enables quick removal and reinstallation. Further, a part of the end ring may not be provided with a replaceable wear element, and another circumferential part may have a replaceable wear element. As a wear element according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is a tripper paddle that forms a control surface of a tripper mechanism. The wear element and the tripper paddle inside the inner diameter of the end ring can be replaced from the outside of the end ring without removing the tripper mechanism from the laying head.

  Another exemplary embodiment includes a selectively replaceable guide ring wear surface of a guide ring of a layhead, wherein the curved inner surface defines at least a portion of a guide surface oriented inside the ring inner diameter. A wear element body. The wear element has a profile that matches the inner diameter of the guide ring and has an outer surface configured to mate and couple with the inner diameter of the guide ring. The wear element body also has an engagement surface configured for mating engagement with a fastening element coupled to the end ring. The wear element body forms part of the guide ring wear surface inside the end ring inner diameter when engaged with the fastening element and the end ring. In some embodiments, the guide ring and / or its replaceable wear surface includes gap notches that facilitate replacement of the tripper paddle and provide clearance for tripper function operation. This wear element surface may be replaced without removing the tripper mechanism from the laying head system.

  In another exemplary embodiment, a method for selectively exchanging a guide ring wear surface defined inside a guide ring inner diameter of a laying head comprising a curved inner surface defining at least a portion of the guide surface; An outer surface configured to matingly engage with the guide ring inner diameter and an engagement configured to matingly engage a fastening element coupled to the end ring. And a method by providing a wear element having a surface. The wear element body forms part of the guide ring wear surface when engaged with the fastening element and the end ring. Further, in the above method, the outer surface of the wear body is fitted with the corresponding surface of the inner diameter of the end ring. After this mating step, the fastening element is fastened to the engagement surface of the end ring and the wear body to form at least a portion of the end ring wear surface inside the wear body inner diameter.

  Another exemplary embodiment includes a laying head system that coiles hot-rolled elongated material and includes a quill that rotates about an axis to deliver the elongated material. The axis of rotation of the quill and the pipe support are coaxial. An elongated hollow member such as a laying pipe that allows the elongated material to pass therethrough is coupled to the pipe support portion. The laying pipe is substantially coincident with the rotation axis of the quill, receives the elongated material fed from the quill, is spaced radially from the rotation axis, and the elongate material is substantially tangential to the rotation axis. And a second end to be delivered. The system also includes a substantially annular end ring that is coaxial with the rotation axis of the quill and that guides and feeds the elongated material fed from the second end of the laying pipe into a continuous coil shape. The guide ring radially and axially surrounds the second end of the laying pipe and has an inner diameter that defines the proximal and distal axial surfaces of the quill, respectively. A swivel tripper is coupled to the end ring by a swivel axis that is substantially tangential to the inner diameter of the end ring along the distal shaft surface. By changing the swivel angle between the end ring and the end ring, the end ring The elongated material coil fed out from is selectively oriented. The tripper mechanism has a tripper control surface that cooperates with the adjacent end ring to guide the elongated material delivered onto the waiting conveyor in a regular loop. The guide ring of this system is a wear element of a guide ring wear surface that lines the inner diameter of the end ring, and has a curved inner surface that defines at least part of the guide surface and a profile that matches the inner diameter of the guide ring. A selectively replaceable guide ring wear surface wear element having an outer surface configured to mate with and engage the guide ring inner diameter. The wear surface element also has an engagement surface. Since the wear element is coupled to the end ring by the engagement surface of the wear surface element and the fastening element engaged with the end ring, the curved inner surface of the wear surface element is the guide ring wear surface inside the end ring inner diameter. Form a part of The control surface of the tripper mechanism is a tripper paddle that can be selectively replaced from the outside of the end ring. The tripper mechanism does not need to be removed from the laying head when replacing the wear element or the tripper paddle.

  These and other embodiments can be implemented in accordance with the present invention with a laying head system that includes a quill that rotates about an axis to deliver the elongated material and coil the hot rolled elongated material. The axis of rotation of the quill and the pipe support are coaxial. An elongated hollow member such as a laying pipe that allows the elongated material to pass therethrough is coupled to the pipe support portion. The laying pipe is substantially coincident with the rotation axis of the quill, receives the elongated material fed from the quill, is spaced radially from the rotation axis, and the elongate material is substantially tangential to the rotation axis. And a second end to be delivered. Further, in this system, the rotating shaft of the quill and the substantially annular end ring that guides and feeds the elongated material fed from the second end of the laying pipe into a continuous coil shape are coaxial. The annular end ring / shroud radially and axially surrounds the second end of the laying pipe and has an inner diameter that defines the proximal axial surface of the quill and the distal axial surface and axial insertion notches, respectively. Have. This insertion notch further defines the surface of the notch surface. This embodiment includes a pivoting tripper coupled to the end ring along the distal axial surface by a pivot axis that is substantially tangential to the inner diameter of the end ring. The tripper selectively orients the elongated material coil fed from the end ring by changing the turning angle between the tripper and the guide surface. The tripper has a tripper control surface that is inserted into and adjacent to the cutout of the end ring and cooperates with the adjacent cutout surface to guide the fed elongated material into a shaped loop. The guide ring / shroud of the system according to this embodiment also has a wear element with a selectively replaceable guide ring wear surface having a curved inner surface defining at least a portion of the guide surface and the cut-out surface. The wear element body has a profile that matches the inner diameter of the guide ring, and has an outer surface configured to fit and couple with the inner diameter of the guide ring, and an engagement surface. In the system according to this embodiment, the curved inner surface of the wear surface element body is connected to the guide ring by engaging the fastening element with the engagement surface and the end ring of the wear surface element body to couple the wear element body to the end ring. Form part of the wear surface.

  The features of the embodiments of the present invention may be applied integrally or separately by those skilled in the art in any combination or subcombination. Further features and effects of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the figure, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a side view of a laying head system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view of the laying head system of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the layhead system of FIG. 1 including an end ring and tripper mechanism, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an elevation view of the delivery end of the layhead system of FIG. 1 including an end ring and tripper mechanism, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the distal or delivery end of an end ring of a laying head system that does not include a wear element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the distal or delivery end of the end ring of the laying head system of FIG. 5 with a wear element installed, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an end ring of a laying head system taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the end ring of the laying head system taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a partial detail elevational view of the lower portion of the end ring of FIG. 6 including a tripper mechanism gap notch, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a partial detailed bottom perspective view of the end ring of FIG. 6 including a gap notch of the tripper mechanism, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the end ring of FIG. 7 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end ring taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a fastening element holding a replaceable wearer element. . FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end ring similar to FIG. 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a fastening element according to another embodiment holding a replaceable wearer element. . FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end ring similar to FIG. 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a screw-fastening element according to another embodiment holding a replaceable wearer element. It is a figure. FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end ring similar to FIG. 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a hydraulically actuated fastening element according to another embodiment holding a replaceable wearer element. FIG. FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the distal or delivery end of a replaceable wearer element according to another embodiment in an end ring of a laying head system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end ring and wearer element along line 17-17 in FIG. 16 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an elevational perspective view of a replaceable wear element according to another embodiment in an end ring of a laying head system including a series of laterally connected wear elements according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. . FIG. 19 is a detailed view of the replaceable wear element of FIG. 18 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a replaceable wear element in an end ring of a laying head system along line 19-19 in FIG. 18, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the replaceable wear element in the end ring of the laying head system taken along line 20-20 in FIG. 18, showing the connecting axial reinforcing ribs.

  In order to facilitate understanding, the same reference numerals are given to the same common components in the drawings if possible.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  By considering the following description, those skilled in the art will readily be able to use the teachings of the present invention for replaceable wear elements of rolling mill laying heads, and more particularly guide ring shrouds in laying heads. It will be clearly understood. According to the present invention, the wear portion of the guide ring shroud can be selected and replaced quickly and efficiently by removing and replacing the modular wear body element without replacing the entire guide ring.

  Overview of the laying head system

  Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, the laying head system 30 of the present invention coiles a rolled elongated material M such as, for example, hot rolled steel bars. Elongated material M traveling at a speed S of up to approximately 500 feet / second (150 m / second) is received at the receiving end 32 of the laying head system 30 and delivered at the delivery end 34 in a series of continuous coil loops. Immediately thereafter, the coil is placed on the conveyor 40.

  The laying head system 30 includes a substantially square quill 50 that rotates about an axis. The hollow laying pipe 60 has a generally spiral axial profile with increasing radius, the first end 62 of which coincides with the axis of rotation of the quill 50 and allows the elongated material delivered from the quill to be removed. receive. The laying pipe 60 is spaced radially outward from the rotational axis of the quill 50 and has a second end that feeds the elongate material in a generally tangential direction of the rotational axis and in a generally tangential direction of the rotational quill. Since the laying pipe 60 is coupled to a pipe support 70 that is coaxially coupled to the quill 50, all three components rotate synchronously around the quill rotation axis. The rotational speed of the quill 50 is selected based on, among other factors, the structural dimensions and material properties of the elongated material M, the travel speed S, and the desired coil diameter.

  In this embodiment, the elongate material M is fed from the second end 64 of the laying pipe and has a helical trough profile as described in commonly owned US Pat. No. 6,769,641. 84 is fed to a ring guide 80 having a guide rim segment 82 formed thereon. As the elongated material M travels through the ring guide 80, it becomes a continuous loop spiral.

  As described in the '641 patent, the segmented ring guide is relatively easily reconfigurable with the helical pitch of the ring guide such that the rim segment 82 can be moved without disassembling and replacing the entire ring guide 80. By changing, accept different elongate materials. Alternatively, the laying head system may be constituted by a ring guide having a fixed structure, or no ring guide may be used.

  As described above, when the elongated material M is placed on the spiral trough channel 84 of the ring guide 80, the elongated material M is configured in a continuous loop coil shape. The ring guide 80 is coupled to the pipe support 70 and rotates coaxially with the quill 50. Since the traveling rotational speed of the spiral trough 84 matches the traveling speed S of the elongated material M, there is almost no relative linear motion speed between these two adjacent objects, and the friction of the surface of the trough 84 that contacts the coiling material. Wear due to is suppressed.

  The fixed end ring 90 is coaxial with the rotational axis of the quill 50 and has an inner diameter that surrounds the second end 62 of the laying pipe 60 and the ring guide 80. The end ring 90 constrains the material in the radial direction within the guide surface of the inner diameter of the end ring against the centrifugal force applied to the elongated material M fed from the second end 62 of the laying pipe 60. Proceed along the spiral trough channel 84 of the guide 80. Since the relative speed between the elongate material M and the fixed end ring 90 is high, wear due to friction occurs on the guide surface of the inner diameter of the end ring.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the elongated material M delivered from the laying head system 30 descends onto the conveyor 40 in a continuous loop by gravity with the aid of the downwardly inclined quill axis of rotation at the delivery end 34 of the system. . The tripper mechanism 150 pivots about an axis adjacent to the distal axial surface of the guide surface of the end ring 90. The pivot axis is substantially tangential to the guide surface of the inner diameter of the end ring 90 with respect to the pivot range θ of motion. As is known, the coiling properties of the coiling material M and its placement on the conveyor 40 can be controlled by changing the swivel angle θ.

  End ring structure

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the end ring 90 includes an annular support ring 92 with a cylindrical profile or a frustoconical profile extending outwardly toward the distal or delivery shaft end of the ring. The distal periphery of the end ring 90 defines a ring left notch 94 that houses the tripper mechanism 150, a ring bottom notch 96, and a ring right notch 98. The structural integrity of the end ring 90 is provided by the distal and proximal circumferential flanges 100, 102 and a series of axial gussets 104, 106.

  The guide end ring 90 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 12 defines a circumferential guide surface of the elongated material M surrounding the second end portion 62 on the delivery side of the laying pipe 60 and the spiral ring guide 80. A selectively replaceable wear surface 110. During operation of the laying head system 30, the wear element 110 wears due to high speed friction with the elongated material M, but the annular support ring 92 that lines the wear element is not damaged. For this reason, when the inner diameter of the end ring 90 that defines the guide surface is worn, it is not necessary to replace the entire structure. The wear element 110 of the present invention is configured to be efficiently replaced in the field without removing the entire end ring 90 from the laying head system 30.

  With reference to FIGS. 6-10, the replaceable wear element 110 has lower and upper annular split ring wear element bodies 112, 114 that surround the entire circumference 360 ° of the inner diameter of the ring 90. Each of the annular wear elements 112 and 114 defines a guide surface of the end ring 90 and has a curved inner diameter that restrains the elongated material M and an outer diameter that has a profile that matches the inner diameter shape of the annular support 92 of the guide ring. Have. Although the figure shows an annular mating profile between the wear element 110 and the guide ring annular support 92, it will be appreciated that other mating profiles may be employed in the practice of the invention. It is. For example, one or more wear elements 110 and end ring 90 may have a polygonal mating profile. Similarly, instead of having a single annular support ring, the end ring may be composed of multiple sectors or other machined fits or cast segments. The assembled segments form an inner diameter circumferential guide surface that surrounds the elongated material at the delivery end of the laying head.

  As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the wear element body includes an upper, left side, and a distal end coupled to each distal shaft end of the annular support ring 92 and the lower / upper annular split ring wear elements 112, 114, and Right-hand wear element flanges 116, 118, 120 are provided. Such adjacent coupling improves the structural integrity of the end ring 90 and protects the inner lip of the annular support ring 92 from wear contact with the elongated material delivered from the laying head 30. In this embodiment, the lower sector of the annular support ring in the vicinity of the left, bottom, and right notches 94, 96, and 98 is covered with a tripper mechanism, so there is no concern about similar wear in the sector. .

  In the exemplary embodiment, the lower annular split ring wear element 112 is adjacent to a corresponding notch 94, 96, 98 in the annular support ring, respectively, to provide a clearance for the pivoting motion of the tripper mechanism 150. It has left, bottom, and right gap notches 122, 124, 126. In the practice of the present invention, whether or not the wear element 110 and / or the ring 90 are provided with a gap notch for the tripper mechanism can be arbitrarily selected.

  The upper and lower annular split ring wear elements 112, 114 of the wear element body 110 include a fastener engagement surface 130 configured to matingly engage with the fastening element, whereby the wear body is The end ring 90 is rigidly connected. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a flat surface 132 is ground and formed on the outer periphery of the annular support ring 92 in the tangential direction. This plane includes a through opening 134 that accommodates a screw fastener 136 and a mating hex nut 138. The screw fastener 136 captures the lower annular split ring wear element 112 through a fitting body and adjacent fitting fastener engaging surface bores 130 formed in the annular support ring 92 by mating engagement. . By using the screw fastener 136, the worn wear element 112 can be easily removed by removing the exposed outer end of the screw and its mating nut 138 using a cutting torch T.

  Another method of joining the wear element 112 and the end ring 90 is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 13, the spacer sleeve 140 has a proximal surface that matches the outer diameter of the annular support ring 92 and a flat distal surface adjacent to the hex nut 138. The spacer sleeve 140 eliminates the need for grinding the flat surface 132 in the annular support ring performed in the embodiment of FIG. In addition, the spacer sleeve 140 increases the separation distance between the hexagon nut 138 and the outer peripheral surface of the annular support ring 92, and accordingly, the support ring may be damaged by the cutting torch T when the wear surface is replaced. Lower.

Yet another method of coupling the wear element 112 to the end ring 90 utilizes a clamping mechanism 141 such as a clamping screw 142 and a clamping nut 144. Rotation of the tightening nut, the tightening force F _S between the wear element 112 and the annular support ring increases. If the wear element 112 needs to be replaced, it is removed by loosening the tightening mechanism 141. Similarly, the fastening according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15 allows rapid removal and replacement of wear elements by utilizing a hydraulic clamping mechanism. Fastener 136 is coupled to a pressurized hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 146 that is in sequential fluid communication with control valve 147 and pressurized fluid source 148. The wear element body 112 is held in the end ring 90 by the tightening force F _H.

  Any combination of the exemplary coupling mechanisms of the wear body 110 may be used for the end ring 90. For example, if one or more parts of the wear body 110 are expected to change more frequently than other parts, the wear element body of the tightening screw or hydraulic cylinder of FIG. It may be advantageous to utilize a retention mechanism. This is because it can be removed more quickly than the screw fastener according to the embodiment of FIG. On the other hand, a simpler screw fastener is considered appropriate for the portion of the wear element 110 that requires less frequent replacement.

  A wear element body 110 ′ according to another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. In this embodiment, the end ring 90 has a partial wear element 112 'that protects the bottom of the ring. There is no wear element on top of the end ring 90, and the annular support ring 92 and the elongated material coiled in the laying head are in direct contact. As shown in FIG. 17, the distal shaft end, proximal shaft end, and circumferential end of wear element 112 ′ are in smooth moving contact with the elongated material due to the tapered shape, so that annular support ring 92 and wear element body And do not move stepwise.

  An end ring 90 'according to yet another embodiment is shown in FIGS. In this case, the wear element 110 ′ has a plurality of fan-shaped portions 112 </ b> A ′ to 112 </ b> N ′ (N is the number of portions) with respect to the annular support ring 92 ′. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 19, adjacent wear element joints have auxiliary connecting projection elements 170 ′, 172 ′ that improve structural integrity at each joint. The auxiliary connection structure may use other forms. FIG. 18 also shows three wear element flanges 116 ', 118', 120 ', but the number may be increased or decreased. The annular support ring 92 ′ has a channel 180 ′ that houses a radially protruding rib 182 ′ formed in the wear element 110 ′, as shown in the mating wear element 112 ′ and ring 92 ′ of FIG. Is formed. This auxiliary connecting channel 180 'and rib 182' improve the structural integrity between the combined wear element 110 'and end ring 90' both axially and radially tangentially, which is advantageous. good. Other forms of cooperating auxiliary connection configurations may be utilized between the end ring 90 and the wear body 110. For example, the rib and channel may be interchanged to form a channel in the wear element 110 'and a rib in the end ring 90'.

  The use of replaceable wear elements 110, 110 'facilitates optimization of wear characteristics and improves manufacturing efficiency within the end rings 90, 90'. The wear element body can be hardened beyond the structural elements of the end ring 90, such as the annular support ring 92, by construction with a relatively hard material and / or heat treatment. In general, it is difficult to manufacture components from harder materials, and the heat treatment process increases the risk of workpiece distortion. In the practice of the present invention, to facilitate the manufacture of the structural elements of the end ring 90, such as the annular support ring 92, they can also be constructed of softer steel and / or casting. Correspondingly, the wear element 110 can be configured with a harder, potentially expensive material and / or subject to surface treatments such as more heat treatment than a purely structural support element. For example, the wear element can be composed of cold rolled 1020 series steel and heat treated. The risk of distortion due to heat treatment can be reduced by using multiple fan-shaped wear elements in the end ring, so that variations in individual small element distortions do not interfere with the final assembly of the wear ring. Alternatively, the wear element 110 can be constructed of a harder material such as AR800 series steel. Manufacturing is relatively more difficult than soft steel, but the labor required to manufacture the entire end ring 90, 90 'is relatively reduced.

  End ring / tripper mechanism joint

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the tripper mechanism 150 is coupled to the layhead system 30 at the base of the end ring 90. The tripper mechanism 150 includes three tripper paddles 152, 154, and 156, and each upper surface is a control surface that orients the elongated material M fed from the laying head 30. When the turning angle θ between the upper surface of each tripper paddle and the guide surface of the inner diameter of the end ring is changed independently by the respective tripper drive mechanisms 153, 155, 157, the downward inclination at the feeding end 34 of the laying head changes. Therefore, the manner in which the elongated material M descends onto the conveyor of the coil loop also changes.

  Further, the worn-off tripper paddles 152, 154, and 156 can be quickly replaced by the end ring 90 and the tripper mechanism 150 without removing the tripper drive mechanism from the end ring. For example, the central tripper paddle 152 is coupled to the central tripper drive mechanism 153 by removable fasteners 158 (such as machine screws and nuts). Paddle 152 is oriented along its pivot axis in the vicinity of undercut ring bottom notch 96 and wear element bottom notch 124 (see FIG. 10) formed in annular support ring 92 and wear element 112, respectively. For this reason, the elongated material M slides smoothly between the guide surface of the end ring 90 and the tripper mechanism 150. Further, the structural cooperation between the tripper paddle 152 and the corresponding notches 96, 124 of the end ring 90 is fastened from the open delivery end 34 of the laying head 30 without removing the tripper drive mechanism 153 from the end ring. Removing tool 158 directly provides clearance for tripper paddle operation, removal, and replacement. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 10, there is similar structural cooperation between the paddles 154, 156, their associated drive mechanisms and end ring gap notches. The present invention is not limited to using three tripper paddles 152, 154, 156. The tripper mechanism 150 may include one or more tripper paddles. Or you may make it comprise a laying head using the end ring of this invention, without providing a tripper mechanism at all.

  Maintenance of the laying head

  In accordance with the present invention, a combination of one or more replaceable modular laying pipes 60, a rim segment 82 of a helical ring 80, a wear element 110 of an end ring 90, and paddles 152, 154, 156 of a tripper mechanism 150. This allows the laying head system 30 to be repaired and maintained on site relatively easily. In this laying head system, it is not necessary to disassemble the whole to replace any of these modular components. More specifically, the laying pipe 60 can be replaced without disassembling the entire structure of the quill 50, the pipe support 70, the spiral ring 80, or the end ring 90. The rim segment 82 can be replaced integrally or separately without removing the entire structure of the spiral ring 80. Similarly, the segments 112, 114, 112 ′ or 112 A-N ′, etc. of the wear element 110 and the tripper paddles 152, 154, 156 can be removed without removing the overall structure of the end ring 90 or the tripper mechanism 150. It can be removed from the delivery end 34.

  Whether the existing end ring is unused or worn on site, it can be replaced by lining the inner diameter of the existing annular ring with a wear element using the installation method of the present invention. The guide surface can be improved. The existing ring inner diameter can be replaced by a refurbished wear surface using known repair techniques such as replacement metal patch installation, welding bead lamination, or desired surface finish by high temperature plasma deposition and subsequent grinding. . If the existing end ring is relatively barely worn, the wear element can be installed without regenerating the ring. Existing rings can be formed with through openings so that the wear element backing can be easily fastened to the inner diameter of the ring.

  A method of selectively exchanging the guide surface of a guide ring of a laying head system for coiling hot rolled elongated material. This system includes a quill that rotates around an axis and feeds an elongated material, a pipe support that is coaxial with the rotation axis of the quill, and an elongated hollow member that is coupled to a pipe support such as a laying pipe through which the elongated material passes. Have. The elongated hollow member such as a laying pipe substantially coincides with the rotation axis of the quill, and is spaced apart from the rotation axis in the radial direction by a first end portion that receives the elongated material fed from the quill, and is substantially separated from the rotation axis. And a second end for feeding the elongated material in a tangential direction. The system also has a substantially annular end ring that is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the quill and guides and feeds the elongated material delivered from the second end of the laying pipe into a continuous coil. In addition, the end ring radially and axially surrounds the second end of the laying pipe and has an inner diameter that defines the proximal and distal axial surfaces of the quill, respectively. The end ring also defines an axial notch in its distal surface. This insertion notch further defines the surface of the notch surface. A swivel tripper is coupled to the end ring along the distal surface by a swivel axis that is substantially tangential to the inner diameter of the end ring. By changing the swivel angle between the end ring and the end ring, the end ring is separated from the end ring. The elongated material coil that has been fed is selectively oriented. The tripper has a tripper control surface that is inserted into and adjacent to the cutout of the end ring and cooperates with the adjacent cutout surface to guide the fed elongated material into a shaped loop. This method of selectively exchanging guide surfaces has a curved inner surface that defines at least a portion of the guide surface and the notch surface, a profile that matches the inner diameter of the guide ring, and is fitted and coupled to the inner diameter of the guide ring. A wear element body having a configured outer surface and an engagement surface configured for mating engagement with a fastening element coupled to an end ring when engaged with the fastening element and the end ring Providing a wear element forming a portion of the guide ring wear surface. The method includes mating the outer surface of the wear body with a corresponding surface of the inner diameter of the end ring, and fastening the fastening element to the end ring and the engagement surface of the wear body to guide the end ring by the inner surface of the wear body. Forming at least a portion of the wear surface.

  A selectively replaceable wear surface in a laying head system coiling hot rolled strip material. This system includes a quill that rotates around an axis and feeds an elongated material, a pipe support that is coaxial with the rotation axis of the quill, and an elongated hollow member that is coupled to a pipe support such as a laying pipe through which the elongated material passes. Have. The elongated hollow laying pipe is substantially coincident with the rotation axis of the quill, and has a first end portion that receives the elongated material fed from the quill, and is radially spaced from the rotation axis and substantially tangential to the rotation axis. And a second end for delivering the elongated material. The rotating shaft of the quill and the substantially annular end ring that guides and feeds the elongated material fed from the second end of the laying pipe into a continuous coil shape are coaxial. The end ring radially and axially surrounds the second end of the laying pipe, which is an elongated hollow member, and has an inner diameter that defines the proximal and distal axial surfaces of the quill and a distal end of the guide surface, respectively. An axial insertion notch defined in the end ring near the lateral surface. This insertion notch further defines the surface of the notch surface. A swivel tripper mechanism is coupled to the end ring by a swivel axis that is substantially tangential to the inner diameter of the end ring along the distal surface of the guide surface. By changing the swivel angle between the tripper and the end ring, Then, the elongated material coil fed out from the end ring is selectively oriented. The tripper has a tripper control surface that is inserted into and adjacent to the notch of the end ring and cooperates with an adjacent inner diameter of the end ring to guide the fed elongated material into a shaped loop. The wear surface of the selectively replaceable laying head has a curved inner surface that defines at least a portion of the guide surface and the notch surface, a profile that matches the guide ring inner diameter, and is matingly coupled to the guide ring inner diameter. And an end ring wear element body having an outer surface configured to engage and an engagement surface configured to mate with and engage a fastening element coupled to the end ring. The wear element body forms part of the replaceable wear surface of the guide ring when engaged with the fastening element and the end ring. The selectively replaceable wear surface also includes a tripper wear element having a tripper paddle defining a tripper control surface coupled to the tripper mechanism from the outside of the end ring, and the tripper paddle coupled to the tripper mechanism. It may further include a selectively removable tripper fastener that can be accessed and removed from the outside of the ring.

  Although various embodiments including the teaching contents of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, those skilled in the art can easily devise many other various embodiments while including these teaching contents. .

Claims (20)

In a laying head system for coiling hot-rolled elongated material, the system has a substantially annular end ring that guides and feeds the elongated material fed from the laying head into a continuous coil shape, and the end ring is A selectively replaceable guide surface that radially and axially surrounds the elongate material and has an inner diameter defining a proximal axial surface and a distal axial surface, respectively, and lines at least a portion of the inner diameter of the end ring. Because
A curved inner surface defining at least a portion of the guide surface;
An outer surface having a profile coinciding with the guide ring inner diameter and configured to mate and couple with the guide ring inner diameter;
An engagement surface configured for mating engagement with a fastening element coupled to the end ring;
A replaceable guide surface comprising: a wear element body comprising: the wear element body forming at least a portion of the guide surface when engaged with the fastening element and an end ring.   The replaceable guide surface of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral flange adjacent to the wear element body and configured to mate with a distal axial surface of an end ring.   The replacement of claim 1, further comprising first and second wear element bodies each having mating elements configured to engage laterally when coupled adjacently within an end ring. Possible guide surface.   The second engagement surface on the outer surface of the wear element body configured to mate with a supplementary third engagement surface defined inside an end ring inner diameter. Replaceable guide surface as described in.   The replaceable guide surface of claim 1, wherein the wear element body includes a plurality of wear element bodies configured to collectively form an entire guide surface when coupled to an end ring.   The replacement guide surface of claim 1, wherein the engagement surface is configured to mate with and engage a fastening element selected from the group consisting of a screw, a screw fastening mechanism, and a hydraulic fastening mechanism.   The replacement guide surface of claim 1, wherein the wear element body defines a gap notch near a distal axial surface of an end ring configured to be proximally oriented with a pivoting tripper mechanism. In a laying head system for coiling hot-rolled elongated material, the system has a substantially annular end ring that guides and feeds the elongated material fed from the laying head into a continuous coil shape, and the end ring is A guide surface that surrounds at least a portion of the inner diameter of the end ring is selectively exchanged, having an inner diameter that radially and axially surrounds the elongated material and defines a proximal axial surface and a distal axial surface, respectively. A method,
A curved inner surface defining at least a portion of the guide surface;
An outer surface having a profile coinciding with the inner diameter of the guide ring and configured to fit and couple with the inner diameter of the guide ring;
An engagement surface configured for mating engagement with a fastening element coupled to the end ring;
Providing a wear element having a part of the guide surface when engaged with the fastening element and an end ring;
Mating the outer surface of the wear element body with the corresponding surface of the inner diameter of the end ring;
Forming at least a portion of the guide surface of the end ring by the inner surface of the wear body by fastening a fastening element to the engagement surface of the end ring and the wear body;
Including methods.   9. The mating step is performed by inserting the wear element body into the end ring from a distal axial surface of the end ring without separating the end ring from the laying head system. Method. The fastening step comprises
Providing a fastening element selected from the group consisting of a screw, a screw fastening mechanism, and a hydraulic fastening mechanism;
Inserting the fastening element into the engagement surface of the wear element body;
Passing the fastening element from the outside of the end ring to the inner diameter of the end ring;
Coupling the wear element body to the end ring by tightening the fastening element;
The method according to claim 8, wherein: Providing a swivel tripper with a tripper paddle mechanism having a swivel axis, and coupling the tripper mechanism from the outside of the end ring near the distal shaft end of the guide surface;
Selectively exchanging the tripper paddle or wear element from the outside of the end ring without separating the tripper paddle mechanism from the laying head system;
The method of claim 8, further comprising:   By creating the inner diameter of the end ring to receive the replaceable wear element body and the fastening element and coupling the wear element body to the end ring by the fastening element, the selectively replaceable wear element 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of modifying the layhead end ring to include a backing. In a laying head system for coiling hot rolled elongated materials,
A substantially annular end ring that guides an elongated material fed from a laying head in a continuous coil shape, and radially and axially surrounds the elongated material and defines a proximal axial surface and a distal axial surface, respectively. An end ring having
A fastening element coupled to the end ring;
A curved inner surface defining at least a portion of the guide surface;
An outer surface having a profile coinciding with the guide ring inner diameter and coupled to the guide ring inner diameter;
An engagement surface coupled to the fastening element;
A wearable element of the selectively replaceable guide surface that forms part of the guide surface when engaged with the fastening element and end ring;
With system.   The system of claim 13, further comprising a peripheral flange adjacent to the wear element body and configured to couple with a distal axial surface of the end ring.   The system of claim 13, further comprising first and second wear element bodies each having mating elements coupled adjacently and laterally engaged in engagement in the end ring.   The system of claim 13, further comprising a second engagement surface on an outer surface of the wear element body coupledly engaged with an auxiliary third engagement surface defined inside the end ring inner diameter. .   The system of claim 13, wherein the wear element includes a plurality of wear elements that collectively form an entire guide surface of the end ring.   The system of claim 13, wherein the fastening element is selected from the group consisting of a screw, a screw fastening mechanism, and a hydraulic fastening mechanism. A swivel tripper mechanism having a swivel axis and coupled to the end ring near the distal shaft end of the end ring;
A gap notch defined by the wear element near the distal axial surface of the end ring and configured to be proximally oriented with a pivot axis of the tripper mechanism;
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:   20. The tripper control surface further comprises a selectively replaceable tripper paddle coupled to the tripper by a removable fastener along the pivot axis from the outside of the end ring. system.

Images